Entertainment

3 BEST Soviet movies about pirates

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2 years ago

January 23, 2024

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In the Soviet Union, movies about pirates were mainly screen adaptations of Western novels about ruthless English cut-throats and Spanish galleons full of gold. But, at times, there were original stories in which Soviet seamen confronted sea bandits.

Below are the three best Soviet movies about pirates.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel was adapted for the screen three times in the USSR. In addition, in 1988, an animated film came out that became extremely popular both at home and abroad.

Of all the Soviet screen adaptations, the 1971 version is considered to be closest to the book.

The movie was shot in Crimea by the Moscow-based ‘Maxim Gorky Central Film Studio for Children and Youth’. And many parts were played by Baltic actors, mainly from the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic.

The part of the brigantine ‘Hispaniola’, in turn, was played by the diesel/sail fisheries vessel ‘Klim Voroshilov’. Once, under its pirate flag, it almost sailed to Turkey, but was stopped by border guards.

“We are amazed by the natural beauty of Yalta and by how authentically the movie portrays the Caribbean, in which the events of the film unfold, and by the brigantine, which is indistinguishable from ships of that era,” wrote the Latin American press after the movie was released internationally.

Released on the eve of the disintegration of the USSR, ‘Captain Blood: His Odyssey’ was inspired by several novels by Italo-British writer Rafael Sabatini about the adventures of a bold and sharp-witted buccaneer named Peter Blood.

The movie was actually co-produced with France and the principal parts were played by actors from both countries. Curiously, the Irishman Blood was played by French actor Yves Lambrecht, while his on-screen adversary, the French (!) Captain Levasseur, by Soviet actor Leonid Yarmolnik!

“An ample budget, substantial technical resources, six months of shooting in Moscow, Yalta and Cuba, two reconstructed life-size ships and five mock-ups,” is how the Belgian newspaper ‘Le Soir’ summed up the production in 1992.

At the same time, the same newspaper criticized the movie for its poor acting and excessively free interpretation of Sabatini’s novels. ‘Captain Blood: His Odyssey’ does, indeed, have numerous critics, but, for many people in post-Soviet space, it is on their list of favorite movies.

The movie was a box office sensation, becoming the highest-grossing Soviet movie in the USSR. It was seen by more than 87 million people in 1980.

It is the late 1970s. The Soviet cargo ship Nezhin is on its way from the Philippines to the Soviet Union with a consignment of opium for the pharmaceutical industry. But it is not destined to reach Vladivostok – the ship is attacked by pirates.

The makers of ‘Pirates of the 20th Century’ struggled for a long time with the censors as to what valuable cargo the Nezhin was supposed to be carrying. The bureaucrats objected to both uranium and opium. Finally, an exasperated Stanislav Govorukhin, the film’s screenwriter, declared acerbically that no-one would attack a ship with tonnes of blank party membership cards on board.

The props department prepared five dummy sea-bottom mines made of wood for the production, one of which ended up being carried out to sea in a gale. When the Black Sea Command learned of this, director Boris Durov received a right old dressing down from the military.

Although the film is set in the 1970s, numerous examples of World War II weapons can be spotted in it, including the German MG 34 light machine gun, the British Sten submachine gun and the German StG 44 assault rifle.

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Source: RBTH

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Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

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2 weeks ago

October 9, 2025

Michael Gomes

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

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2 months ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

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Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

Published

4 months ago

June 14, 2025

Staff Reporter

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

● Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

● Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

● Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.